New coins released include a 50p to commemorate Battle of Britain and a £2 to mark First World War centenaryThird coin is £2 marking 800th anniversary of Magna Carta showing King John accepting historic treaty in 1215

The English penny first appeared in Anglo-Saxon times, as a silver coin. It was derived from another silver coin, the sceat, of 20 troy grains weight, which was in general circulation in Europe during the Middle Ages

David Pearce, 15, and a pupil at Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall, beat off fierce competition from over 6,000 entries with his winning design being chosen following a public competition organised by the Royal Mint on behalf of Her Majesty’s

A scheme aimed at reducing the number of one and two cent coins in circulation in Ireland is under way. Rounding if one and two cent coins will be conducted on a voluntary basis, meaning customers can opt out and ask for the exact change ...

1 Pingin, Irish 1963 Penny, Eire Penny 1963

Irish Penny with hen and chicks, 1d pingin

The Irish Penny coin is 1.215 inches (30.9mm) in diameter - about the same size as the American half dollar, 1.9mm thick, weighs 9.45 grams and is made of bronze which is 95.5% copper, 3% tin and 1.5% zinc

It was the third smallest denomination of the pre-decimal pound, there was 240 pennies in a pound.